Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Brand new 4/4 - or a used one from 2009/2010?

Hello Morgan experts,
I am new to Morgan cars (and to this great forum here as well), but would love to get one now – just as a fun car for the weekends. My favorite is a nice, classic 4/4 – and I now I would love to get some advice from the Morgan experts….
A brand new 4/4 with the Ford 1,6l / 112 HP goes for 49.900,- Euro here in Germany, a 4/4 from 2009/2010 with 6.000km goes for 40k Euro.

Are there any major differences between the 4/4 from 2009/2010 and the latest once from 2015 / 2016?

Anything I would miss when I go for the “old” one and save the 9.9k€?

I did recognize the prices for a brand new Morgan went massively up during the last years here in Germany.

Regards, Kay

Hello Kay and welcome.

You have done your research, so you know the 1.6 engine is unchanged. The only major change I can think of between the 09/10 and the post-12 cars is the introduction of the Mazda MX5 gearbox (and the change in the 'standard' hood option from 9-stud to easy-up)

Now, there are some who say the earlier Ford gearbox is fine, they loosen up with use or that you simply get good ones or bad ones. My experience is that the Ford box when new is baulky and stiff and becomes acceptable with use, whereas the MX5 gearbox is sublime from new and makes changing gear a pleasure. You will be doing a lot of gear changing in a 4/4 as the engine likes to be worked very hard.

Try to drive an example of each - only you can put a value on this difference.

Good luck with your search.

Hi Kay, welcome to the forum.
What a decision to make. All I will say is I bought my car from new and really enjoyed the experience of choosing the colour of the body and the leather and some of the other options available as well as visiting the factory whilst it was being built.
My vote would be buy new.

If you go for a new one you can have it to your specification, colour, extras and so on - I recommend door handles, door pockets, sun visors, luggage rack and mesh grille - but these would add about another 1k.
Or you can go for a used one. Whatever - enjoy!

Welcome Kay to TM.

I think the answer possibly lies in whether you can afford to buy new which you must be able to as it is in your consideration. Whichever route you go you won't be disappointed but will have a different experience.

Buying new will get you the opportunity to choose the spec and perhaps, if you can, get over to the factory a couple of times to see it being through built which from others who have done this say is a special experience.

We bought our 2011 4/4 Sport when it was 18 months old with 1500 miles on the clock. It has the MT&% Ford gearbox and as others have said the Madza box is a brilliant box and seems to be from new. Mine was a little stiff and clonjy until it got to about 3-400 miles and now it is wonderful so they do improve with age. There's lots of threads on here about how you can increase the power and torque on these perky Sigma engines cars. You'll have lot's of fun which ever way.

Thanks folks!

Yes, to choose the color and the extras is only possible when going “new”.
The gearbox thing Ford vs. MX5 is new to me, I was not aware of that change in the 4/4. The hood – I think you can select what type of hood you like if you buy brand new here in Germany.
And yes, I will need to do a testdrive with the different gearboxes – Ford vs. MX5.

Regards, Kay

PS: You have a link to the history / changes of the 4/4 over time for me to read more?

I have the traditional stud hood but never use it. I have the tonneau cover that I think offers smoother lines without the bulk of the easy up hood but if you think you need a hood to pull up and down quickly you may prefer that.

I think the MX5 gearbox came in around 2012 from memory.

Welcome to the forum. If you are considering the convenience of an easy-up hood versus the smooth classic lines of a traditional hood, think about how quickly you may need to put the hood up when the rain starts hammering down (that's if you're like me and ignore the warning signs of an impending shower of rain!). The MX5 gearbox is a joy to use.

Having searched the market in the UK when I was looking for a 4/4 I discovered the difference in price between a new one and a secondhand one from a dealer was only 5000 pounds.

So I went for a new one all black 4/4 in 2014...a great buying experience...26 days from order to delivery...fantastic Mazda gearbox ,easy up hood..and it is a great agile proper sports car in my opinion. The visit to the factory to see your car being built (I made 4 visits !!!) and talking to the craftsmen that built the car was unforgettable.

Essential extras: stainless door straps,stainlees round mirrors,replace interior mirror +steering wheel..then drive it like you stole it !!!!

Only my opinion

Your decision should be made on whether the extra cost is worth being able to specify a car to your exact requirements. I think it is.

I bought a one year old Morgan in 2013, and if I could turn the clock back now with the benefit of hindsight, I should have bought new then. I very nearly did, but now I'm in the zone of almost buying a new one, not because I don't like the one I have, but it's not exactly how I would have had it built as a new car.

My only reservation is that the galvanised chassis stopped at the end of 2015, so new cars have a coating 'based on paint' with an untested lifespan. It's not enough to put me off, but it is a factor to consider. I did see one bare galvanised chassis in the factory at the weekend, but it didn't have my name on it.

There's a book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Morgan-First-Crowood-Autoclassic-Series/dp/1847972888